Medicare SEP Changes 2020: When You Can Enroll If You’re Eligible for a DSNP or LIS
DSNPs (Dual Special Needs Plans) are Medicare Advantage plans for people who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. LIS (Low Income Subsidy), or Medicare Extra Help is a federal program that helps Medicare beneficiaries save money on prescription drugs.
If you are eligible for either DSNPs or LIS, your enrollment periods might be a bit different from others.
Am I Eligible for LIS?
If you’re eligible for Medicare and you make less than 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, you may qualify for LIS. You can also automatically qualify for Extra Help if you’re already on SSI or you qualify for a DSNP.
What Does LIS Cover?
LIS helps qualifying people pay for prescription drugs and it covers items such as Part D premiums, deductibles, and the “Donut Hole”.
LIS coverage is offered on a sliding scale. That means the subsidy provides more or less help depending on your qualifications.
For example, if you’re single and you qualify for full LIS and Medicare only, you’ll pay no more than $3.40 for covered generic drugs and $8.50 for covered brand-name drugs. You will have no copay once you spend $5,000 out-of-pocket for covered prescription drugs.
What are Medicare DSNPs (Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans)?
DSNPs cover your Original Medicare premiums and services, and, since they’re Medicare Advantage plans, they can offer additional benefits* such as:
Many DSNPs have $0 monthly premiums, and if you see healthcare providers in your plan’s network, you shouldn’t have to pay Medicare deductibles and copays.
*Plan benefits and availability depend on many different factors such as location and carrier. Talk to your licensed agent to learn about available plans and covered services.
What Are the Changes to My SEP?
In the past, if you qualified for a lifelong SEP, you could enroll in a new DSNP, Medicare Advantage, or Part D plan up to once a month for the entire year.
In 2019 and 2020, if you’re eligible for a DSNP, LIS, or you only qualify for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) such as the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program or the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program, the 2019-2020 CMS guidelines state that you can enroll in a new plan or drop coverage once per quarter for the first three quarters of the year (January – September).
Any changes you make during this time will become effective on the first of the month following the date you made the change. For example, if you enroll in a new DSNP plan on February 10, that change will become effective on March 1. You would not be able to make another change until the next quarter.
Q1: January – March
Q2: April – June
Q3: July – September
Q4: October – December
So, what does that mean for the rest of the year? Well, it means that you’ll fall into the AEP like everyone else.
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which is October 15 to December 7, is a time when anyone can make changes to their existing Medicare coverage. Any AEP changes will take effect on January 1 of the following year. For example, if you make a change during AEP on November 15, that change will become effective on January 1.
Get the Medicare Health Insurance You Need Today
A licensed agent with Medicare Plan Finder may be able to help you find the coverage you need to stay in optimal health. Our agents are highly trained and they can find out what’s available in your area and help you make the right decision.
Our agents focus on the individual and offer an unbiased approach to helping you enroll in Medicare plans. To schedule a no-cost, no-obligation appointment, call 833-431-1832 or contact us here now.
How to Get Help Paying Medicare Premiums
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) says that over 25 million Americans age 60 and older “struggle with rising … healthcare bills.” Thankfully, federal and state governments have assistance programs for people who need help paying Medicare premiums and other costs.
What Are Medicare Premiums?
A premium is an amount you pay every month for insurance coverage. Original Medicare is health insurance that provides coverage for specific services.
You can qualify for Medicare either by turning 65, or sooner if you have ALS, ESRD, or you’ve received SSDI for at least 25 months.
Medicare premiums can seem expensive, especially if you have a limited income. For example, many people don’t have to pay a Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) premium, but they might still have to pay the Medicare Part B (medical insurance) monthly premium (standard is $144.60 in 2020).
You might not have to pay a Part A premium if you or your spouse has worked 40 or more quarters and paid Medicare taxes or you otherwise qualify for premium-free Part A. You could pay up to $458 per month in 2020 if you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A.
On top of that, Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn’t cover everything. If you want extra benefits such as prescription drug coverage, you’ll need to enroll in Medicare Part D, or a Medicare Advantage plan with a prescription drug benefit. Either option may come with a separate premium. Luckily, you may be able to receive help paying Medicare premiums.
What Should I Do If I Need Help Paying My Medicare Premiums?
How to Get Help Paying Medicare Premiums | Medicare Plan Finder
If you need help paying Medicare premiums, you can apply for several assistance programs called Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). You may need to provide certain legal documents such as a Social Security card, Medicare Card, and proof of income and address to apply. You may even qualify for several different benefit programs at the same time!
Medicare Savings Programs
There are four types of Medicare Savings Programs (MSP). Each one has its own set of income limits. Your state may have different limits for annual income, too.
In 2019, the total asset limits for most MSPs are $7,730 for an individual, and $11,600 for a couple. These limits are only federal guidelines. Your state may have different limits.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB). Can help pay premiums for Part A and Part B, as well as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. An individual may qualify in 2019 with an income up to $1,061 per month or $1,430 per month for a couple. If you qualify for QMB, you may also be eligible for Extra Help (LIS) paying for Part D prescription coverage.
Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary Program (SLMB). Can help pay premiums for Part B. A single person may qualify in 2019 with an income up to $1,269 per month or $1,711 per month for a couple. If you qualify as a SLMB, you’re may be eligible for LIS paying for Part D prescription coverage.
Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals Program (QDWI). Can help to pay Part A premiums. This MSP is for disabled people who lost their premium-free Medicare Part A when they went back to work. The income limits for QDWI are $4,249 per month for an individual, and $5,722 for a couple in 2019. The asset limit is $4,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a couple.
Medicare Savings Program Application and Eligibility
The best way to find out if you qualify for MSPs is to apply and let your state determine eligibility. However, Benefits.gov has a tool that uses multiple choice questions to find out if you may be eligible.*
Your state’s Medicaid office can provide information about how to apply and where to send your application.
After you apply, you should receive a “Notice of Action” within 45 days detailing what programs you qualify for, and you should be automatically enrolled in the program that most aligns with your qualifications.
Low Income Subsidy (LIS)
Low Income Subsidy (LIS) or Extra Help is a federally-funded program that helps Medicare beneficiaries save on prescription drugs. LIS can help cover your Part D premium, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.
The program can provide huge savings! For example, you won’t pay more than $3.40 for generic drugs or $8.50 for brand-name drugs in 2019 according to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
To qualify for LIS, you must have a monthly income of less than $1,405 for an individual or less than $1902 for a couple in 2019. You must also
Have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) coverage
Have prescription drug coverage (either a Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug benefits)
Have American citizenship
Not have savings, investments, and real estate valuing more than $28,150 if you are married or $14,100 if you are single
You may also qualify for Extra Help if you have Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or if you have both Medicare and Medicaid insurance. If you think you meet the eligibility requirements, click here to apply for LIS or ask your insurance agent to help you.
If you qualify for a DSNP, you may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), which can give you the freedom to make one change per quarter to your plan*. This is a huge cost-saving benefit to DSNP enrollees because it means you can enroll in a plan that best suits your needs.
For example, if your doctor stops accepting your insurance plan, but he accepts another DSNP in your area, you can switch plans to stay with your doctor. You won’t have to enroll in a different plan with a potentially higher premium.
*For the first three quarters of the year as long as you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
How to Save Money on Premiums With Private Medicare Insurance Plans
Some people may not qualify for Medicaid, MSPs or LIS. However, you may still be able to save some money. If you have Original Medicare, you can enroll in private plans such as Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplements. Note: You must choose one because you cannot be enrolled in both at the same time.
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans help cover medical services. These plans can offer additional benefits such as prescription drugs, vision, hearing, dental, and even fitness classes! Most MA plans have monthly premiums (the average is $23 in 2019) and some MA plans have $0 monthly premiums*.
*You must continue to pay the Part B premium in addition to a Medicare Advantage premium.
If you stick with Original Medicare, you could end up spending more money in premiums and other monthly dues. For example, if you have a gym membership, you likely have to pay dues. That’s one expense. If you have private dental insurance to cover routine cleanings, that’s another. Add vision insurance to that, and that’s three monthly expenses.
Alternatively, you might be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental, vision, and fitness supplemental benefits!
Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans help pay for financial items such as coinsurance. In 2020, there eight different Medigap plans that offer different levels of coverage. Basically, the more services the plan covers, the higher the premium. Depending on your needs, you can save money on premiums by selecting a plan that covers fewer services.
2020 Medigap Comparison Chart
Find Help Paying Medicare Premiums
If you’re struggling to pay your monthly Medicare premiums, a licensed agent with Medicare Plan Finder may be able to help. Our agents are highly trained and can help you find a plan that suits your budget needs. To set up a no-cost, no-obligation appointment call 844-431-1832 or contact us here to learn more today.
